DR. WALLACE: I made a huge mistake! I introduced my best girlfriend to my cousin and they really hit it off. The problem is that it turned out that my cousin is a jerk, but I wasn't aware of that when I told my best friend that I had a "cool" cousin and I'd play cupid and get them together. My cousin treats my friend like dirt. He calls her filthy names in front of others, slaps her around and spends her money.

I've tried to convince my friend to dump this guy, but she says that she is addicted to him and that she actually loves him and she would not leave him. Now I feel all of this is my fault. I made a huge mistake introducing them, but it was an honest mistake.

What can I do to get my friend to realize that she should end this twisted romance? — Nameless, Mansfield, Ohio.

NAMELESS: Once you introduced your friend to your cousin, you are not responsible for their behavior and what they do is not your fault.

Let's hope your friend takes your advice and rids herself of this despicable loser. Be there if she needs you, and I'm sure she will.

GIVE HIM A PHONE CALL

DR. WALLACE: About two weeks ago I met a guy at a Los Angeles Laker's basketball game. He is also from Newport Beach and seemed like a nice guy, so I gave him my address and phone number.

Last week he sent me a beautiful flower arrangement with a note saying he would like to take me out. He asked me to call him if I was interested and he wrote his phone number.

I would like to see him, but I feel funny calling him. I'm 19 and he is 22. I usually don't like the idea of girls chasing guys. What do you think I should do? — Megan, Newport Beach, Calif.

MEGAN: Since he contacted you first (in a very nice way, I must say), forget about the notion that you are chasing him. Call him!

I'M OBSESSED WITH BEING THIN

DR. WALLACE: I'm a 17-year-old young lady who really needs your advice. I am 5 feet 6 inches tall and weigh 122 pounds. I consider myself to be overweight. People who know me think I have the perfect shape and would love to have my body build. But for some reason I see myself as fat. I'm constantly on a diet because I want to be thin. My parents think I'm obsessed with the "thin is in" look, and maybe I am, but I don't think that's such a bad thing. Do you? — Amanda, Oklahoma City, Okla.

AMANDA: The "thin is in" look for females is a manufactured image sold to the public by advertisers trying to move their products. Don't allow media hype to get a chokehold on your eating habits. If you do, you could become the victim of an eating disorder.

One of the major symptoms of anorexia nervosa is the feeling of being overweight regardless of objective reality. In no way is someone of your weight and height fat! I suggest that you visit your family physician for a complete physical and discuss your feelings of being overweight. You might be encouraged to seek professional counseling.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. Email him at rwallace@thegreatestgift.com. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

Photo credit: Alan Levine